Budding Bloggers Showcase {Christa from Sweet Life of Second Grade}

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Hey Everyone! I am Christa from Sweet Life of Second Grade.

I was super excited when I heard Amanda was doing her Budding Blogging Showcase Series again. I have been blogging since April 2012, but I switched grade levels so blogging has kind of been hit or miss. I always have good intentions...taking pictures of all the cool things we do in class, but just never blog about it. I have quite a few blog drafts that have some pretty cool pics and ideas to share, but they just sit there not completely finished. Instead I chose to stalk many of my favorite blogs and look and read about all the amazing things they do!!

ALL ABOUT ME:

I am a northern California girl...born and raised!! I sometimes wonder what it would be like to live in another state, but I love that California gets the four seasons.

I have been with my husband for 16 years!! We were actually set up by one of my student's parents. We were going to meet at a school function, but it rained on the day of the event so they cancelled it. They decided to give him my number. And guess what?? He called me, we went out to dinner, and have been together ever since. He is an amazing guy, but sometimes doesn't get why I do so much for my classroom (decorating, cool lessons, fun projects, spending money). But he is still very proud of me and I appreciate that!!!

This is my husband and I at our first South Carolina Gamecocks game earlier this year!! I went to school
at UC Davis and do not ever remember tailgating. OMG!! South Carolina knows how to tailgate!!

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

This year I am looping with my first graders back to second grade. I am super excited because they are an amazing group of kids!! I can't wait to see how much they grow and learn this year. What is even more amazing is they will be the class that I begin my 20th year of teaching with. I can not believe I have been teaching for 20 years! I have taught 2 years of 6th grade, 3 years of 4th grade, last year was my first year in first, and this year will be my 14th year in second. I think the only grade left I want to try is third grade.

20 years ago I met these wonderful ladies when I began my first teaching job! This is last year at Chris' retirement party.
Chris(left) taught 3rd grade and Arlene (middle) was the most amazing school secretary ever!! That's me on the end.

FAVORITE SUBJECT:

I used to say that my favorite subject to teach was math because I loved math when I was growing up. I also love that you can turn pretty much anything in to a game. But...after this year... I think reading is my favorite subject to teach...especially in first grade. It was so amazing to see the lightbulb go on and all of the growth that happens throughout the year.

IN MY ROOM:

If you popped into my classroom on any given day you would definitely hear me first because I am known for my loud voice! My hubby keeps reminding me that I need to learn how to whisper. Ha ha like that is ever going to happen. So as you walked into my room you would definitely see a lot of working going on. Some kids may be with me in a small group, others working with a small group, or some kids working by themselves. If it was in the morning you would definitely see us knee deep in our Daily 5 routines. This year there will definitely be some changes since my grade level partner and I received a tech grant. We will each have 15 iPad minis and will be diving into some Project Based learning for our Social Studies and Science time.

THOSE DAYS:

And what do you think gets me through one of those tough days???? Ha, ha …at school there is a lot of Diet Coke and definitely chocolate involved!! Of course, a little dance music and silliness with my grade level partner also helps when the kids are out of the room!! If it is a Friday…then happy hour of course!!!

TEACHING RESOURCE I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:

One teaching resource that I can not live without is books or should I say my classroom library!! I love books! I love to read to my class and I love to hear them read. I must have over 50 large basket of books in my classroom. I have 2 walls that are all lined with book shelves...at least 6 of them are over 6 feet tall!!!

TEACHING STYLE/FAVORITE ACTIVITY:

We keep pretty busy throughout our day. I always think I could use another hour or so in our school day. We start at 8 and end at 2! I try to set clear and high expectations for all of my students, be as consistent as I can, and make learning as fun as I can. I want my kids to love coming to school. I am always searching for new ideas or ways to make lessons even better. I think I have done a pretty good job of that throughout the years! I actually love the end of the year because that's when we do Open House. I usually do a big theme and go all out. I have done the Amazon Rainforest, Space, Insects, the Ocean, Kelp Forest, and Gold Rush. I love it because so much learning and creating is going on. The kids love to see the room completely transform into something else!! They are so proud when they show it off to their family.

BLOGGING GOALS:

LOL...I just need to stick with it. I start out strong and then fizzle out. I would love to post at least once or twice a week, but life just takes over. I love meeting all of the wonderful bloggers and seeing what they do in their classrooms so it would be great if I could share my classroom more often!!

Thanks for sticking around and reading to the end! Thanks Amanda for letting me share a little bit about my life and my blog. Hope you come on by for a visit!!